HABITAT for Humanity KOTA KINABALU launched its latest project “Borneo Build” on Saturday 19th February 2011 at Kampong Kokol, duly officiated by YB Datuk Johnny Goh, Assemblyman for Inanam. Also present were President of Habitat Kota Kinabalu Joanna Kitingan, National Trustee of Habitat Malaysia Allen Tong together with several Board Members of Habitat Kota Kinabalu. In his speech, YB Johnny Goh, who was represented by his PKR Kalasa Saat, said that the “Borneo Build” project will bring greater awareness for Sabah to the regional & international community. He said that this will indeed augur well for more international participation & partnership to build more Habitat homes for those in need. He congratulated the NGO headed by Joanna Kitingan for this wonderful initiative and also warmly welcomed a team of 23 volunteers from Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan, headed by Professor Dr Ichiro Imai, who graced the launching & immediately thereafter started work on the build site for the home partner, Penjamin Ugihad, who is a farmer. President Joanna called on more home applicants to come forth to partner with Habitat, not only to build homes but to build hopes and to build lives. She said that there will be many international volunteers coming to Sabah this year and she encouraged local volunteers to join in as well. Founding President & National Trustee Allen Tong echoed this call stating that the new friendship & relationship with visiting volunteers will forge better international understanding & increase cultural exchange. Tong said that many volunteers have come back over and over again, and this has promoted Sabah as a tourism destination. Professor Dr Ichiro Imai said that this is the first time they are visiting Malaysia. They were given a list of many possible countries to volunteer for Habitat home build and they specially picked Sabah. He said that it was indeed a very auspicious occasion to be in Sabah witnessing the official launching of “Borneo Build”.

For more information, please call Habitat Kota Kinabalu at 088-243080.

Our latest home-build were held at Kg. Kokol, Menggatal. We were assisted by 30 navies from the USS Frank Cable as our GV team this time.

We dedicated a whole day to start-up the new home until its base and frames were established. The day was trying though as the weather was not exactly conducive for home construction due to raining season in Kota Kinabalu. However, we worked hard enough and managed to finish the home’s flooring, frames for walls/roof and a room’s partition.

We called the day off after having some light refreshments, certs presentation and taking group photos. It was definitely a memorable day for us and we hope our GV team had a great time. Thanks to our GV team and also to volunteers of whom did turn up that day!

Just to give a brief background, Habitat KK Affiliate went to visit Jorinah Motogor in Tambunan early February. With the purpose of conducting a home repair dedication. The event includes handing over a key to her home and giving a token. Having visited her house, we noticed that she had new a new door, good staircase and well-furnished toilets. However Jorinah concluded that more works need to be done. After taking a group photo and having eaten some food that she prepared upon our visit. We left for home. It was happy to see Jorinah pleased with what she got from Habitat’s assistance programme. Below, are the pictures taken to commerate the eventual occasion that took place.